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With guaranteed losses behind, Sun Belt awaits Owls

Howard Schnellenberger said it best: “Steve Spurrier was gracious. He probably could have scored more.”

FAU is not looking for moral victories – this isn’t FIU. All they are looking for is progress and even Schnellenberger has had a difficult time finding much of that as this quote attests:

“I told the kids we are going to have to learn how to play football and we’re going to have to learn to play it fast,” he said late Saturday.
The Owls should be grateful the guaranteed portion of the schedule _ guaranteed losses for guaranteed money _ is complete and now they can get back to the business of winning their conference.

FAU has little to show for its two second-half meltdowns against Nebraska and South Carolina. Saturday’s 38-16 final on the surface looks semi-competitive, but Schnellenberger was not looking for another half effort, which is what he got after FAU had cut USC’s lead to 17-16 in the final seconds of the first half.

The second half was typical of what happens when program on FAU’s level attempt to play with the big boys. These teams can stay close for a half for many reasons, one being they are often overlooked. But when the Nebraskas and South Carolinas decide enough is enough, programs like FAU are overmatched in every area.

The combined second half score of the first two games: Opponents 49, FAU 0.

Now the challenge for FAU is to put behind these two games, build on the positives, and think of this Saturday as the start of the season. After all, how FAU does in the Sun Belt ultimately will decide if it qualifies for a third consecutive bowl.

The Owls can be encouraged by the play of Alfred Morris, who runs hard and should be a force in the conference. Receiver Lester Jean showed he could be a capable replacement for the suspended Cortez Gent. The defense has been taxed and lacks experience and depth, but it has enough athletes that it should improve.

The play of QB Rusty Smith remains a mystery. In two games, he has had one good half. Smith’s meltdown during the second half Saturday was disappointing. His interception on the first play of the half changed the entire tone of the game and pumped life into the Gamecocks and their fans.

Even Schnellenberger could not defend his QB on that one, citing Smith’s decision making after he had time to think about the pass and scan the field as he was rolling out.

Smith made another glaring error when he either did not see or opted to ignore a wide open Darian Williams near the goal line on fourth-and-1 and throw the ball into a crowd for an incompletion.

Smith had a similar start to the season last year but he rebounded and sparked an impressive turnaround from a 1-5 start. Now, he needs to build on Saturday’s first half and step up his play against Sun Belt competition and lower-level teams like Wyoming and UAB and the Owls should be okay as the schedule become much more forgiving.

A look at Monroe

Louisiana-Monroe provides the opponent for the Owls’ Sun Belt and home opener Saturday. The Warhawks are 1-2 with losses at Texas (59-20) and Arizona State (38-14) sandwiched around a 58-0 stomping of Texas Southern.

Monroe is ranked 53rd in the nation in total offense with 384.0 yards per game and three spots lower in total defense, allowing 333.3 yards per game.

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